This morning, after coffee, I logged into Facebook to see what my friends are focusing on today. Many posts brought my attention to December 1, 2010 being World AIDS Day. As a matter of focus, AIDS has faded in my priority list of issues. These posts got me to thinking about why I am no longer motivated in this worthy cause. Frankly, it is the success in the fight against AIDS that has drawn me into this abyss of casualness... Read more

Over the past few months as part of my duties in service to a Pagan organization, many individuals who are what I call Involuntary Solitaries have contacted me. To a person, these individuals express a deep desire to learn from, circle with and create social ties with the larger Pagan community. These seekers represent a wide variety of different circumstances. Some live in very rural conservative communities. Others hail from countries such as Indonesia, Croatia, and the UAE. All are... Read more

Recently Pagans from a wide range of belief systems have shared information, ideas and positions on the celebration of Thanksgiving. What stands out in this conversation is the sense of a broad and respectful dialog among those that hold some but not necessarily all beliefs in common. As we consider what we are giving thanks for this season, let us consider how grateful we should be to be involved in a community that encourages the respectful exchange of ideas and... Read more

Much of my time lately has been spent considering the concept of compassion and its power to set humanity on a new course. As part of this interest I have been focusing on the examples of compassion that I see in my daily life. This experience has been an eye opener. While I have witnessed many examples of compassion between friends and members of communities, much less common are examples of compassion expressed for those outside our comfort zones. Inherent... Read more

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Its 1980 and Paganism is growing, books on Magik, spells, and the Goddess, are available to those who live in reasonably liberal cities. Those seeking these texts in other parts of the country are left alone with no access to this growing movement. FLASH FORWARD It’s 2000, the Internet has taken hold and Pagan literature abounds, new Pagan organizations and web sites pop up almost daily. Some are serious, some sell spells that make outlandish promises. Seekers and practitioners are... Read more

Many scholars of religion have postulated as to the nature of the Divine. Even within our Pagan community there are a wide range of opinions. While I find much to be admired in an academic approach to divinity it is the central concept of compassion that drives my relationship with the Goddess and the universe around me. Once again this has been reinforced by personal experience. While traveling in a third world country it was clear that compassion is the... Read more

Small NGO’s and the Humanitarian Logistics Association Have you ever felt humbled when in the company of a group of individuals who are leaders in their field? That was exactly my experience attending the Humanitarian Logistics Association ( HLA ) general Assembly in Nairobi Kenya. With years of experience doing government based disaster response, this impression is not the result of a lack of knowledge, but rather a reflection of how specialized humanitarian logistics is. As a board member of... Read more

As a result of my work in Haiti after the earthquake in January of this year, I have been invited to be a delegate to the International Humanitarian Logistics Association in Nairobi Kenya. This is an opportunity to gain skills, interact with international humanitarian organizations and learn new paradigms for Haiti relief and other disasters as a National Incident Command Team member. Other Delegates to this conference include leaders from: Oxfam, International Rescue Committee, World Food ProgramCatholic Relief ServicesWorld VisionInternational... Read more

Many in the community have seen me drive my vehicle with a sticker that says, “Your silence will not protect you” a sentiment that I borrowed from the Gay community. For years I have been fond of saying, “I don’t even remember where the broom closet is”. It has always been my belief that, while honoring those who choose to remain private, it is in the interest of our community to come out and proclaim our identity as Witches. Once... Read more